Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms - Where to store pots/pans/lids

I have a hall type kitchen, it's a decent size, but there is no wall space that isn't covered with a cabinet. The problem is, where to store all the pots, pans and lids. I'd have to use 2 or three cabinet to store them without stacking, and there's no where I've found to hang them up on a rack.
Right now I just have them all shoved into one cabinet, and have to dig through to get the one I need.

Any ideas?
(yes, still need to do the trim work!)

http://www.thehomeforums.com/members/pendragon/gallery/kitchen.jpg

Pendragon,

The picture did help but let's look at this another way.

1. You have plenty of cabinets but maybe installing 42" wall cabinets would had been better?

2. It appears that someone likes to cook allot unless I'm wrong in this.

3. Not sure if you have children or not so unsure of total in household so what is really needed for storage within the cabinets?

4. Looks like the kitchen arrangement is fine but you are a "counter hog" (no offense intended). You're using allot of counter space for things that make it not very functional for cooking/baking, etc.

So when was the kitchen redone?

What do you have now in the cabinets that you don't use?

What should be stored/discarded and not be kept in the kitchen cabinets?

If you are unable to compromise with what you have, it's time to consider other options. Enlarge the kitchen, add-on, purchase 42" wall cabinets. I don't see a space for a tall utility cabinet. Unsure of any other space within the home that could be utilized for storage for those items rarely needed. Many times, some items that are in the cabinets should be stored elsewhere.
Hanging pots and pans is to me, a dust collector, sometimes not very attractive and may not be adviseable for low ceilings. You do not have the room to avoid hitting your head.

Just some thoughts

As Douglas said, you could use some reduction in quantity. That said, a few suggestions:

1. Lids can be stored on the inside of doors with the right kind of rack. There are some that are coated wire - probably made by "Closetmaid".

2. Since your cooking area is at the far end, the most convenient place for pots, pans, etc would be the cabinets above and to the left of the microwave. If the selves in these cabinets are not adjustable, you can get wire racks that will allow you to "double up". These racks allow better organization of space within the cabinets.

3. If you have some nice pots or pans that you want to hang, you could put a rack above the sink. Even a brass or black rod between the cabinets at about the top of the window would be good.

4. From a decorating point of view I would do the following:

a. Get rid of the "popcorn" ceiling and paint the walls a warm color. This will reduce the dark apearance of the cabinets and pop the coutertop.

b. Install a continuous shelf across the top of the cabinets and window. Then put a molding across the fron of this.

c. Install a small halogen downlight over the sink in the shelf and remove the dated bullet fixtures above the sink.

d. Replace the fluorescent ceiling fixture with some ceiling can lights.

You might want to watch some episode of HGTV for ideas. There are several good programs. "Designed to Sell" and "Devine Design" are probably my favorites.

Those are some ideas..

I'll look for the lid racks. In my old place, I had the perfect place to hang lids with hooks. But new place, new pots, the new lids don't have a 'lip' on them to hang with.

I will investigate seeing what I can re-arrange. The two cabinets over the stove on each side of the microwave, 1 is empty, the other has sauces and spices in it.

On the counter usage.. hhm. only counter hogs I have are the coffee maker and rotisserie/toaster oven. The coffee maker has to stay by the fridge (it shares the water supply) and the toaster gets very hot when in use, so I have to keep it away from everything else. I guess the other stuff (cookie container, spice rack, etc) could go somewhere else, I just don't know where unless I put them in a cabinet as well.

The ceiling is a hand laid 'dabbed' texture. The only way to remove it completely would be to replace the ceiling. And the kitchen ceiling runs with the dining, living and hall, so those would have to be done as well or there would be a definative 'line' where the texture stopped.

I don't like the bullet lights over the sink either, I've considered replacing it with a single recessed can light. I never use those lights anyway.

I like the flourescents though, those two (2 bulbs each) fixtures turn night into day and I like an evenly, well lit space. Granted, they aren't the most attractive fixtures.

Tall cabinet.. the space just past the stove (between the kitchen and french doors) would make a nice cabinet area, except that it's not really 'part' of the kitchen. Though it would be nice to store items like crock pot, mixer, deep fryer and that sort of thing in, all items currently stored in the lower cabinets.

What color would you suggest for the walls? Keeping in mind that there is actually very little exposed wall area in the kitchen. Just what is between the counter and upper cabinets, and above the window.

Color is a personal thing, but I would think something in a Mocha brown or something that goes well with the floor. You could use one of several shades but it should be something that will provide a contrast with both the cabinets and the countertops. Get some paint chip samples and select 3 colors from one family. This will be the pallet and you can decide where you want to use what color. Painting ceilings is not out of the question, but generally the lighter colors are best for ceilings while using medium and darker shades on the walls.

Once you get started on this kind of thing, you will probably want to extend into other parts of the house. It's kind of addictive. :)